Dragonslayer’s Class Regression Chapter 96

Chapter 96

‘Peter Pan.’

The captain of the Neverland and the one who was Pirate King in Zeke’s previous life.

Hook gritted his teeth and said.

“Young brother, just watch. I’ll find Kidd’s Treasure Island before that arrogant merfolk and become the Pirate King. Captain Hook! Doesn’t that have a damn good ring to it?”

Zeke responded appropriately to Captain Hook’s words while thinking about Peter Pan.

‘The Pirate King appears 2 years from now. That’s also when Sister Kali goes to subjugate the Pirate King.’

In this life, he had to protect Kali Draker no matter what.

That was the only way to maintain a force that could stop Abel within the Drakers.

Just then, Hook, slightly tipsy, smiled and took something out.

“Young brother, take a look at this. This here is proof that Hook will claim Captain Kidd’s treasure before Peter Pan and become Pirate King.”

What Hook took out was a piece of old parchment.

He unfolded the parchment.

“This here is the map that leads to Captain Kidd’s Treasure Island.”

Zeke looked at the parchment Hook unfolded with quite some curiosity.

However, most of the content was erased, and what remained was written in unfamiliar letters, making it impossible to understand what it represented.

‘Being a treasure map, I suppose it’s written in code.’

Since even Zeke couldn’t understand it, Hook must have felt confident showing it.

But then, surprisingly, the system activated on its own.

[Ancient sea chart detected.]

[Scanning and analyzing sea chart.]

[Analyzing and supplementing erased portions to recreate sea chart. Marking location on map.]

‘’Huh?’’

Unexpectedly, the system analyzed the sea chart as soon as it saw it.

Captain Hook, unaware of this, continued talking excitedly.

“Currently, no one can read this sea chart. We know it’s somewhere in the Death Sea, but we still don’t know the exact location. That’s why we’re searching this whole area.”

While Captain Hook was talking, the system finished analyzing the chart.

And the map that appeared before Zeke’s eyes showed the exact coordinates of where Treasure Island was.

‘…Once again, I’m reminded that there are no limits to the system’s abilities.’

Zeke had unexpectedly gained the opportunity to become Pirate King.

Just then, a quest window appeared.

―Achievement Quest (Advanced Mission)―

[Find the Forgotten Sea God’s Island. (No time limit)]

[Quest Mission Reward: Title Sea God’s Blessing / Sea God’s Treasure]

‘Sea God’s Island?’

It wasn’t a map to Treasure Island where Captain Kidd’s treasure was hidden, but rather to an ancient ruin.

Given that the mission rewards were Sea God’s Blessing and Sea God’s Treasure, the saying about becoming Pirate King by finding this island didn’t seem completely false.

‘If Peter Pan found this island and gained the Sea God’s power, I can somewhat understand why Sister Kali was defeated.’

Judging by how the system worked, it seemed impossible to find the way to this island through normal means.

Zeke closed the quest window and thought about the Sea God’s Island while agreeing with Hook’s words.

‘I need to claim the Sea God’s power before Peter Pan takes this island.’

Since it would be difficult to take Carus to the island, Zeke thought he would need to come back after safely delivering him.

Captain Hook only returned to his ship after finishing an entire box of whiskey that the smugglers had hidden.

For Zeke, who had learned about the Sea God’s Island, it had been a profitable encounter.

* * *

The next day, Zeke’s group loaded supplies and set sail again toward the Southern Continent.

True to its name as the Death Sea, the ocean was rough and full of reefs.

Fortunately, the smuggler captain seemed quite skilled, successfully navigating through the Death Sea without issues.

They encountered pirate ships a few times, but there were no major incidents as the pirates fled on their own after Zeke and Boris went over to quietly reason with them.

After a week had passed, Zeke and his group finally arrived at the Southern Continent. However, just before docking at the port, the captain asked if they could dock somewhere else.

“My lord, must we dock directly at Golfa Port? Smugglers like us die the moment we enter Golfa.”

Zeke reassured the captain.

“I’ll guarantee your safety, so don’t worry.”

Convinced by Zeke, the smuggling ship reached Golfa Port.

However, Golfa Port was in disarray.

Men with rough appearances were spread throughout the port.

The smugglers were terrified at the sight.

“M-my lord. It’s the Mekein Cartel.”

Although Don Juan had died, the Mekein Cartel, though reduced in size, still boasted strong organizational power.

Without responding, Zeke jumped off the smuggling ship while wearing his iron helmet.

The cartel members saw Zeke and took defensive positions.

That’s when it happened.

“Boss!”

In the distance, Simon and his subordinates could be seen running over.

When Simon appeared, the cartel members were surprised, put away their weapons, stood at attention, and lined up.

Simon knelt before Zeke.

“Welcome, Boss. We’ve been waiting.”

The smugglers gaped at this sight.

Simon Zapatero, the new boss of the Mekein Cartel and guardian of the Cusco royal family who controlled the northern region of the Southern Continent, was kneeling before Zeke.

At the same time, other cartel members also knelt before Zeke.

He approached Simon.

“It’s been a while, Simon. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you, Boss. Was there any inconvenience on your way here?”

“It was a fine voyage. Please compensate the captain and crew for their service.”

“I will reward them generously in the name of Simon Zapatero.”

Meanwhile, Boris and Carus, their faces concealed, disembarked from the ship and immediately boarded the carriage Simon had prepared.

Zeke also boarded the carriage, and only after Simon got in did Zeke remove his helmet and speak.

“Can we move to the portal right away?”

Simon shook his head.

“Boss, I apologize, but currently the portal in Tahuani is unavailable.”

“What do you mean the portal is unavailable?”

“Imperial soldiers are swarming all over the terminal.”

Zeke was shocked by Simon’s words.

“You mean those Imperial bastards have come all the way here?”

“I suspect they predicted that you would come to the South.”

Behind Abel Draker stands Jiemens.

It wasn’t for nothing that they were called the Strategic Jiemens.

Zeke fell into deep thought.

‘We can’t keep His Highness the Prince in the South. It’s such an unstable place, we never know what might happen…’

The Southern Continent was a place teeming with assassins and outlaws.

Zeke couldn’t stay to protect him forever. While they could prepare to some extent, it was impossible to prevent all assassins who would come at them using various methods.

Somehow, they needed to get to the Central Continent and receive Kali Draker’s protection.

Simon carefully spoke.

“Boss, there is one way.”

“What is it? Tell me.”

“We can go through the border region, cross the desert, and head to the Holy Kingdom. The Empire’s power doesn’t reach the Holy Kingdom.”

Hearing Simon’s words, Zeke fell into contemplation.

If they couldn’t take the portal, traveling by land was their only option for now.

Once they entered the Holy Kingdom, there would be many ways to get to Midland, whether by land or sea.

Zeke looked at Simon and said.

“That seems to be our only option right now. But can we pass through the border region full of outlaws? Imperial knights must be guarding that area too.”

“Actually, because it’s a lawless zone, we can find gaps to slip through. If we can just get up to the upper border region, there’s a tunnel that connects to the desert area. Since it’s operated illegally, even if Imperial forces pursue us, their speed will be hindered.”

This was a solution only Simon, a former outlaw, could propose.

After thinking briefly, Zeke nodded.

“Alright. We’ll do as you say.”

“Understood, Boss. Today, rest from your journey at the safe house, and we’ll depart first thing tomorrow.”

* * *

The next day, Zeke’s group changed into Southern attire and rode horses up toward Tahuani.

With Simon and his subordinates escorting them, there was no need to worry about minor thugs causing trouble.

The problem would start from the border region above Tahuani.

This area, commonly known as the lawless zone, was an extraterritorial region consisting of several towns built in the wasteland.

The reason this became a lawless zone was none other than the formation of a massive black market city.

All sorts of stolen goods, items involved in crimes, and money that couldn’t make it to the Dorta Republic flowed in here, and various criminals came to hide their identities to find work or commit more crimes to make money.

Naturally, this place became somewhere where common sense and laws didn’t apply.

If Dorta was a city of glamorous entertainment, this was a city of desire and pleasure built in the lowest place.

Since it was such a dangerous place, after crossing the wasteland and entering the lawless zone, Simon warned Zeke’s group:

“From here on, we must be extremely careful. Consider everyone except our group as enemies.”

Zeke nodded at Simon’s words.

While Carus was slightly tense, he seemed quite excited about visiting the black market city in the lawless zone that he had only heard rumors about.

Zeke’s group slowly walked toward an area fenced off with wire in the wasteland.

There was a guard post there, which was one of the entrances to the lawless zone.

Simon approached and showed something to the organization members guarding the post.

They looked at the badge Simon presented, whispered among themselves, then went inside the post to contact someone.

Soon they came back out and handed the badge back to Simon.

“The atmosphere is rough these days, so watch yourselves.”

Simon took back the badge and entered the wire fence with his companions.

Coming inside and walking along the path, they saw a small village.

Simon said to Zeke.

“Boss, we should stay here today. Tomorrow we’ll go to the black market city to meet the tunnel broker and move right away.”

Zeke nodded.

This village at the entrance to the lawless zone was still considered relatively less dangerous.

Once they entered the black market city, they would have to be prepared to risk their lives, so taking time to prepare wasn’t a bad idea.

Zeke’s group unpacked at the lodging Simon had arranged.

To protect Carus, Zeke decided to share a room with him.

However, as Zeke was unpacking, Carus approached him and showed him something.

“Zeke, look at this. What do you think?”

Having spent quite a long time with Zeke while on the run, Carus now spoke comfortably with him.

Zeke also spoke casually with Carus.

“It’s a drawing. Did you draw this, Carus?”

“I told you I’m an artist. When the drawing is complete, I’ll add a poem that suits it. Then it will be finished.”

“An artist, huh. Is that your dream, Carus?”

Carus tucked the drawing back into his chest and said.

“If I were an ordinary prince, yes. But with the situation as it is now, I wonder if I can become even an ordinary artist. I’ll probably spend my life either being chased or living as an exiled royal.”

Zeke gave a bitter smile at Carus’s self-deprecating words.

Then Carus asked Zeke.

“How about you, Zeke. Do you have a dream?”

Carus’s question momentarily left Zeke speechless.

In front of Arthur Draker, he had said his goal was to become the strongest on the continent.

His goal was to become the continent’s strongest, dominate the Draker family, and become the absolute ruler.

‘A dream, huh. Is that a dream?’

Having died and returned through regression, Zeke had devoted all his energy to achieving what he couldn’t in the past.

He looked at Carus and said.

“Becoming the strongest on the continent. That was my dream.”

Carus nodded at Zeke’s words.

“The strongest on the continent. That certainly won’t be easy to achieve.”

But at that moment, Zeke’s senses detected suspicious movement.

‘What’s that?’

He told Carus to be quiet and get under the bed.

Carus did as Zeke said without question.

Zeke pressed himself against the wall and surveyed the surroundings with his dragon eye.

He sensed suspicious movement from behind the building across from them.

‘These aren’t just ordinary outlaws. These guys are trained.’

They could be killers raised by the cartel, but either way, he could tell they weren’t approaching with good intentions.

Zeke knocked on the wall of the adjacent room to send a signal.

Soon Boris entered the room.

Zeke said to Boris.

“Boris, tell Simon to prepare to leave this place immediately.”

“Understood, Boss.”

After Boris left, Zeke quickly packed their belongings and was about to leave the room with Carus.

Just as they finished gathering everything and were about to exit the room.

Swish!

An arrow flew through the window.

“Duck!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the arrow that had flown in exploded.